Betfair Hurdle Ante Post Preview

The Betfair Hurdle is usually a wide open affair run over the minimum trip of two miles. Run at Newbury, this handicap hurdle is normally run at a very fast pace with some trainers using it as a stepping stone to the Champion hurdle; the last to do the double was Make A Stand in 1997. Last year's winner Zarkandar is now a big contender for the Champion Hurdle. The aim of this piece is to spot a few horses at nice prices that will hopefully run and run well come the 9th of February.

The stand-out horse in the market at this stage is My Tent Or Yours trained by Nicky Henderson. He has a virtually identical profile to the yard's Darlan, who ran in this as a novice last season and took a crunching fall two out. Darlan had a mark of 146, whereas My Tent Or Yours has a mark of 149. He was unsuited by heavy ground and a steady pace here on his penultimate start, before winning very nicely at Huntingdon. If you were to have doubts, his keenness in running and tendency to knock a hurdle would be slight worries.

Pearl Swan has to be feared for Paul Nicholls, who thinks he is well handicapped off 146. The big issue with him is whether he will be ready in time, but if he is, he has each way possibilities with his top novice form last season.

Cash And Go is a beautiful horse to look at, but has a few jumping issues to address before I can get involved with him at the price he is. Swing Bowler has to be feared as she is still unbeaten, but will she get in? If she does, then she would have a chance despite a big step up in grade for her.

For me though, the horse to beat is Cause Of Causes trained by Gordon Elliott. He won the Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot at big odds two starts ago, before fighting off Midnight Oil at Navan in a small field which wouldn't have suited him very well. He loves coming through horses, and goes on any ground. If you can get the 12/1, take it!! He is also owned by the sponsers.

Claret Cloak is another that caught the eye last time at Ascot, and cerrtainly has plenty of ability. Personally, I can't wait to see him jump a fence! Dark Lover is another on a big upward curve for Paul Nicholls, but may get outpaced before staying on.

I also really like the chances of Wingtips for Tony Martin. He has some high class form, and I think the way this is run will be right up his street. He has a beautiful racing weight around the 10 stone 6 lbs mark, and should get in as well. I think he has a big each way chance.

If the ground came up bottomless, then Bourne would have a good chance, also owned by the sponsers. He won at Kempton on his last start, and has shown good form in this level before. Punjabi was second in this five years ago off a 5lb higher mark, but showed some of his old sparkle in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day, and could run a big race once more.

 ADVISED:

2pts E/W: Cause Of Causes + Wingtips
1pt E/W: Punjabi

(NRNB preferable)

If you have a fancy I haven't discussed or have some feedback, feel free to tweet me @willbowler2k12 and I'll reply as fast as I can, or fill in the comments box below.

Be Lucky,

Will